The Cambridge Companion to Medieval English MysticismSamuel Fanous, Vincent Gillespie The widespread view that 'mystical' activity in the Middle Ages was a rarefied enterprise of a privileged spiritual elite has led to isolation of the medieval 'mystics' into a separate, narrowly defined category. Taking the opposite view, this book shows how individual mystical experience, such as those recorded by Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe, is rooted in, nourished and framed by the richly distinctive spiritual contexts of the period. Arranged by sections corresponding to historical developments, it explores the primary vernacular texts, their authors, and the contexts that formed the expression and exploration of mystical experiences in medieval England. This is an excellent, insightful introduction to medieval English mystical texts, their authors, readers and communities. Featuring a guide to further reading and a chronology, the Companion offers an accessible overview for students of literature, history and theology. |
Other editions - View all
The Cambridge Companion to Medieval English Mysticism Samuel Fanous,Vincent Gillespie Limited preview - 2011 |
The Cambridge Companion to Medieval English Mysticism Samuel Fanous,Vincent Gillespie No preview available - 2011 |
Common terms and phrases
Aelred Analecta Cartusiana anchoritic Ancrene Wisse Anglistik und Amerikanistik Anselm Benedictine Bernard Birgittine bishop Book Cambridge University Press canon Carthusian Catherine Christ Christian Christina Cistercian Cloud of Unknowing contemplative texts contemplative writing culture D. S. Brewer devotional edited EETS Elizabeth Barton English church English contemplative English Mystics fifteenth fifteenth-century find first friars God’s Henry heresy hermit History Holy influence Institut fur Anglistik John Julian of Norwich Kempe’s laity Late Medieval England Latin literature lives Lollard London manuscript Margery Kempe Mary Medieval English meditation Middle Ages Middle English monastery monastic monk nuns ofthe Passion pastoral prayer priests R. W. Southern readers reading reflects Reformation religious revelations Richard Rolle Rolle’s RSTC Salzburg secular sermons Song of Songs soul Speculum spiritual St Birgitta Studies Syon Abbey Thomas tradition trans translation treatise twelfth century vernacular Vincent Gillespie Virgin vision visionary vitae vols Walter Hilton William women Woodbridge Wulfric